Snapdragons

Avoiding the Rut

Every January/February I seem to hit a rut. Emotionally, inspirationally, and even fashionably.

The fact that this February will find me turning the big 3-0 makes me even more determined to avoid it.

Since I’ve prescribed myself a hefty dose of fresh flowers and personal photography challenges to combat the rut disease, there may be a bunch of these floral posts in my future.

If you’re not a fan of flowers, you might want to check back in March. I’ve usually found level ground by then.

Flowers

I really want to have fresh flowers in the house more this year. I’d call it a resolution if I were one to make (and keep) those kinds of things. It might be better labeled an aspiration.

These came home with Matt the other day. For no reason other than because I married an incredible guy.

The Giving House

One good thing about buying a house in early winter is that each new season brings its own surprises. Something seems to be springing up weekly around here.

The dilemma lies in trying to decide whether or not to till and mulch certain flower beds or wait a little longer to see if more blooms wake from winter.

Sleeping Late

Sure you miss out on the sunrise and the quiet morning air, but today the trade was worth it.

Matt let me sleep in and took Abby for an early morning bike ride. I woke up to a fresh-from-the-lily-pad-flower being thrust in my face and Abby’s little voice saying, “Happy Mother’s Day.”

Not a bad start to a non-Mother’s Day Saturday.

I love these flowers. The little curlies in the middle remind me of Cate and Autumn’s hair.

And the stems are beautiful. In my opinion, they’re nature’s version of the fat straws that McDonald’s used to have before fast food restaraunts were trying to save money and the environment!

Green

I took a trip to Oregon last week. For all those who believe it rains all the time up there, you should know that the weather was perfect- 70′s and sunny. I don’t know that I’ve seen such beautiful shades of green anywhere else.

I swear the alleys up there put our botanical gardens to shame. Apparently beautiful flowers grow when there’s consistent rain and no scorching sun.

It’ll take me a while to go through the photos and get back in the swing of things around here, but for now I just wanted to say I’m home. And I miss Oregon already.

Photo Friday

Our morning was spent running and laughing in a field of bluebonnets. A nice start to the weekend.

Looking Up

There was a nap today. And life is improving already.

My Little Ferdinand

I have always loved the story of Ferdinand the bull. A lover instead of a fighter. He’d just sit and smell the flowers. I’m thinking Abby has more than a little Ferdinand in her.

The beautiful weather (a high around 80 today) sent us running outdoors this morning. We spent a little time kicking a ball around, picking flowers, and played hide and seek.

Yep, hide and seek. In a wide open field. See, Abby still believes that if she can’t see me, then I can’t see her. So crouching in the flowers is the perfect hiding space.

12 hours later…

and all the flowers have bloomed.